Each year, Boulder Canyon raptor nesting area closures are in effect starting February 1st through July 31st at Eagle Rock, Security Risk, Blob Rock, and Bitty Buttress. However, the area is monitored and closures are periodically lifted early (due to no active nest, nest site failure, or early fledging). This monitoring program is a partnership with the Forest Service Boulder Ranger District, Boulder Climbing Community, and Audubon Society. Check back periodically during times of closure for updates. More info at fs.usda.gov/recmain/arp/recrea....

This information is a public crowdsourcing effort between the Access Fund,
and Mountain Project.You should confirm closures, restrictions, and/or related dates.

Description

If there was ever a time where the name says it all...this is a funky route that may appear to be similar to Tagger in Eldo, but differs quite a bit.

Start with Prelude to King Kong and belay under the roof at a fixed anchor. The bolts/slings are old so you'll need some extra gear to back them up. I'm sure there are many possibilities on how to climb/protect the route, but essentially follow the double cracks out to the thin squeeze.

This is another route to go on Steve Levin's "Bird Tour" (see Grandmother's Challenge) extended to Boulder Canyon. Nesting pigeons have crapped all over the place, including a fist slot that provides a nice jam. Suck it up and stick that hand into the mess.

The slot out the roof is only possible to fit through if you're fairly thin (i.e.: I had quite a time at 5'10", 150lb.). So for larger folks, you may have to turn the roof farther outside, then (somehow) squeeze back into the chimney.

After shifting breakfast back to your throat, finish out the chimney then belay a little right of the chimney on a small ledge. This will allow you to hear your second grunt, cuss, and thrash his/her way up to you.

Protection

Cams from 0.5 Friend to #3 and a few draws for 'em. Long pants are recommended for whole-body jamming in the squeeze.

The old Erickson guide book contained numerous bon mots and pearlsof wisdom. He hit the nail on the head when he wrote of Supersqueeze (I quote from memory): "a 10 foot stretch of climbing which requires every textbook technique".

The climb is pretty unique and interesting, but the difficulty is definitely body-size dependent. I'm a relatively small person, but after climbing this, I have raked areas on my back and chest at the shoulder blades/pecs, and then a big raked area at the top of my big butt. I am 5'10 and only weigh 165. Larger climbers beware. To get my chest through I had to exhale and wiggle, to get my butt through I had to dangle my legs and relax, then swing my feet back and forth like a pendulum to wiggle through.

For gear, you should rack it all to the sides, not a single biner behind you on the gear loops. Take stoppers + thin-hands sized gear (1.5-2" cams) and one good-hands or wide-hands piece and you can protect it very well.

Presently, one pigeon has made this home. I literally scooped a few piles of dry poop out of the left hand holds prior to the crux.

One star, normally, but maybe one less than that to account for the pigeon poop. Even the belay is tar-and-feathered with pigeon crap and feathers presently.

5.10d, but more for the will required than the skill required. Large people will find it harder, exceptionally small people will find it easier, both due to the hand jams available (tight green to purple Camalot) and the lesser struggle squeezing through the slot.

The old 1/4 inch bolt was being backed up by a nut and a huge somewhat loose chockstone, and about 15 different slings, so I cut most of the crappy webbing off and unslung the chock stone and [equalized] a [BD] 13 nut and the 1/4 incher with a [piece] of 8 mm cord that is [in ok] condition it is [fairly] bomber now. I was surprised that anyone let it get in such bad condition, it was one of the biggest messes that I have seen, so if you get up there and [don't] like what I did, take out the old stuff before you add in your bit, 1 [cordalette] should be [sufficient], and if you [don't] get too sketched out [just] use the bolt, it is solid.

Ron Olsen and I replaced the 1/4" bolt at the belay. Unfortunately, not only was the existing bolt a mere 1" deep in the rock, it was also in a hollow flake. We searched high and low for a spot to place the new bolt that was good rock and finally decided up and left. The new bolt is a 3/8" SS Rawl five-piece bolt.

The hardware for this project was provided by the American Safe Climbing Association (www.safeclimbing.org). They appreciate your support.

Did this last night and it is still owned by the Pigeon King. I felt that this route was definatly harder then any other 10 I have climbed anywhere. This come mostly due to the Bird crap that greeses every hold through the crux. This climb was the closest my head will ever get to being in the rectum of a bird. Great movement but route gets 3 demerit points for it's condition

I followed this route today. I fell during the business, and got my helmet stuck so that I was hanging with all my weight on my neck on the helmet strap. Scared shitless, I ripped my helmet off without unbuckling it, and in the process, ripped TWO of my dreads off. I had never been so horrified while following a route.

Hey Kurt, psyched you did it! After swearing off slabs in '92, this was on my short list of steep climbs to do. It was part of a process of redemption after years in the SP doing slabs. What a great route! Beta: Swami belt with the knot placed on the left hip, tie in on the right.

Allen, It was not a joke. I saw the bald spot! Bryan, Your beta is brilliant. I've been tying into my swami belt with the knot on the right hip and tying in on the left hip, and I never even thought to switch them.

I had a time on this one too at 5ft 9in, 170 lbs. I first got my head through the slot, and then almost got my head/helmet stuck (see above post - don't wear a helmet). With difficulty, I managed to get my chest about halfway up the slot, and then desperately attempted to exhale all the way and press my way through, breaking a rib in the process. Once my chest was through, it was a breeze. Although I enjoy wide cracks, I can't say that I feel any desire to repeat this climb unless I get tapeworms and drop 20 lbs.

No love for this thing, huh? I thought it was a blast. Don't wear a helmet. Trail gear. Get stuck. Get unstuck. Try again. Get stuck again. Go around. Get back in. Pretty awesome #6 placement. The poop and risk of decapitation are worth the misery (if you're into that).